Academic activities in all public universities across the country have been postponed since July 1, first, because of teachers' strike over pension scheme, and then the students' quota reform movement. To tackle students' movement, the government closed all educational institutions across the country, leaving the students in great uncertainty.
In our government-run universities (both public universities and colleges under national university), the issue of session jam is widespread. The ongoing closure of universities will further aggravate the situation.
Most students at public universities come from poor or middle-class families with the hope of shouldering the responsibility of their families after completing their university education. Having studied at a reputable public university, I have experienced the horrors of session jam.
I know a senior to me whose life has been profoundly impacted by session jam. The effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and session jam have robbed him of precious years of his life. By the end of his education, he had no time to prepare for a job.
Of late, thanks to the dedicated efforts of some teachers, many departments are free from session jam. They have demonstrated that the goodwill of teachers can rescue students' academic lives from session jam.
Since the government offered a solution to the quota issue, which I think students would happily accept, immediate steps should be taken to reopen universities and all other educational institutions.
Mohammad Sohel Rana
Student, BBA
Chattogram University